It's time to take a break!

I am very blessed to live a life surrounded by people and things that I love. A life so full in the joy of The Lord. Full of beauty and grace - it makes the struggles worth it. The day to day frustrations and overwhelming sorrows alike. I can say this in full confidence because I was dead in the world and I am now so alive in Christ! I'm not trying to preach to you or act all holier that thou, I hate that shit ("Why you acting so holy, can't you see I'm full of holes?"). It's just at sometimes I get so overwhelmed by the beauty of it all. I just want to shout it from the rooftops! I see what happened to Robin Williams and it breaks my heart. My newsfeed is full of overdoses, shootings, war and pain. If only I could find some way to share the freedom of life in Christ. To open the eyes of the skeptics and unbelievers. Not to force feed some prepackaged notion of "Christianity", the religion, but Christ, the son of God.

I am getting completely off track here, but sometimes it's difficult to stop myself. Why do I create? Because I was born to. I'm not bragging, I'm not some super talented famous artist. I'm not even comfortable calling myself an artist. I just love to make. I'm about to send my first scripture canvas overseas (to London!) and I am just so grateful for this platform I have been given. Just blown away that my work is now starting to spread across the world, sharing God's word!! Who knows who might see it and be moved, be encouraged? Think about the words on the canvas for a moment.

"As for me and my house, we will serve The Lord." Joshua 24:15

That is a declaration of faith, a dedication, a pledge. Now these words are across the globe. There is power in that, in art. It doesn't come from me, but from the Holy Spirit working through me. Some of the people I have met through my work have touched my life in ways they'll never even know. I see God at work and I feel so incredibly blessed to be a part of it! So I've been going non stop - making, sharing, working, teaching. Putting my tool belt on and sweating it out all day; then coming home, making dinner, and setting up in the studio. It has been a long summer. Granted it has been one of those most amazing and exciting times in my life, but it has taken a toll on me. I've pushed as hard as I can and relied on His strength when I had none. I only have a few open orders right now and once I finish those up I'm going to put the shop on vacation and take a much needed break. I've come to this decision after much prayer and deliberation and I know that this is His will for me and my family. I have faith that he will carry us financially and I will return renewed, refreshed and ready to make you lovely people some beautiful art!

I want to focus on making art for myself, not for sale or show. A creative jump start, if you will. That said, I also plan on fleshing out my fall and holiday lines (I already have some super cute stuff in store for you guys!) and revamping my business model. I will still be available via email (thehipsterhousewife@gmail.com) and rest assured those of you who have open orders, they will be completed and shipped in the time frame promised.

I am so excited about what God has in store for the future of The Hipster Housewife and my family! I plan on relaxing with my husband, playing with my kids (and getting them ready to go back to school!), and just enjoying the gifts that God has given me. I will be returning in September. Thank you all for your support, encouragement, and general awesomeness!! Love you!

Instagram Giveaway!

In case you haven't already heard I'm running a little giveaway on Instagram, mostly just cuz I love you guys. The rules are easy peasy to follow and the winner gets to take home my 'Home sweet Home' banner (see what I did there?). I've already had a good reaction on Instagram itself, but I thought I'd share here as well in case you are aren't on the IG (in which case get yourself an account because it's awesome and my very favorite way to share pretty things. Who doesn't like pretty things?!).

All you have to do is follow me @thehipsterhousewife if you don't already, repost the photo above, and tag your comment with #regram #giveaway and my name @thehipsterhousewife. Also, if you wanted to share why you want the banner I'd love to hear it, but it's not a requirement per se. See, easy! The winner will be chosen next Saturday, so best get on that!

Love you guys! Good luck!

Isn't she pretty?!

 

A peak inside my studio

Signed and dated for when I become all super famous

I love you Patti Smith

'Blessed' sign still available in the shop

'Deer Woman' by the fab Paula Tamara Hoss

Trying my damnedest not laugh

All of the insanely pretty photos are courtesy of uber talented (and totally cool) Lindsey Mae Child of Lindsey Mae Photography who was so kind as to come shoot my space and do some product photography. I couldn't be more pleased with the results and our budding friendship! I just love cool people. And Lindsey is cool people. It sounds trite (yay we're so cool), but I just want to surround myself with creatives, people hungry for life, chasing after The Lord with all their passion, doing what he created them to do, and doing it beautifully! Filled with his spirit!!

The Lord created us for fellowship, and I just love his design!

The Handmade Experience

I've been giving quite a bit of thought lately to my 'brand' and what I'm trying to offer my customers at The Hipster Housewife. Why shop with us? Why shop handmade at all? Well, as the title would imply, for The Handmade Experience. Obvs.

Long before I set up shop on Esty I was a huge fan of the site, and did most of my 'special' shopping there. My entire wedding was painstakingly handmade by yours truly, and supplemented with Etsy purchases when I couldn't make something on my own. I love to put some random query into the search box (vintage industrial storage box was my latest) and dig through the seemingly endless offerings. There is something really special about the whole process, from the search to the moment the pretty package arrives in the mail. Its personal in a decidedly impersonal world.

 

The handmade experience is a promise. It offers both exclusivity and connection. You purchase something one of a kind, something that is uniquely yours, and through that purchase are supporting not only an individual artisan, but an entire community of makers, crafters, and artists. It feels authentic in a way few commercial transactions ever do. When was the last time Target shot you an email to make sure your new pants fit just right? The last time your favorite 'upscale' jewlery store made a necklace to your specifications (and didn't cost a months rent)? It just doesn't happen in today's retail market. There is no attention to detail, to craftsmanship, not the way one person working in their studio can give. Whether it's a big chain or a small store, they are not personally invested in their products and clients the way someone making their goods by hand is.

 

When I buy handmade there are always a few certain 'somethings' that jump out at me, and I, in turn, strive to offer those things to my customers. That's the promise. Buying handmade means buying one of a kind. Even when a product is made more than once, it's virtually impossible to recreate something the same exact way the first one was made. I love owning pieces no one else has. We like to own exclusive things. Most of the high end (and therefore exclusive) things in today's world are so absurdly expensive I could never afford to own them. Handmade offers me the couture experience without the couture price tag. There is also the expectation of quality. You see, I frickin' love making things, and I know most etsy shop owners feel the same way about what they do. We are passionate about the things we sell, and therefore aren't going to sell junk! Nothing I create I wouldn't display in my own home (in fact, if it's not made to order, it's hanging on my walls right now!), use at my own wedding, or gift my friends and family with. So, you get unique, you get quality, but you can have those things without having a good buying experience. I know, because I've bought beautiful, lovely, unique things on etsy and have still walked away with a bad taste in my mouth.

Customer service is by far the most difficult part of owning your own handmade business. I stress myself out like crazy making sure I make my customers happy! But I do it because I know that's the make or break piece when it comes to he handmade experience. There is nothing worse than trusting someone to make this awesome-unique-thing for your wedding (or home, baby, grandma, you get the idea) and having them not answer your questions, take longer than promised, and not ship on time. Of course, you have to remember you're usually working with one person, who is doing the best they can (hopefully) and sometimes things run behind schedule. But there is never any excuse for poor customer service. It drives me crazy!! I'm always available to answer questions, and I pride myself on answering emails and convos within a few hours - if not a few minutes! My iPhone is always on and always by my side (I suppose that's a topic for another blog post entirely). And I have had some amazing chats with people via etsy's convo system! I've talked about God, motherhood, and the joy of getting married. So yeah, it's personal for me, and I want it to be personal for you too. Behind every etsy storefront is a real person, with a real life, usually working from home in the thick of it. That is special. That makes the whole thing special.

 

The Hipster Housewife is just me. I put love and prayers into every piece I make. I wrap all of my shipments like presents, include extra goodies (plus a sprinkle of glitter for good measure) and pretty ribbons, because I want you to be excited when you open that package. Making these things is a joy for me, I want your experience, from purchasing to hanging on the wall, to be a joy for you as well. It's why I do it. I create because I love to, because I believe that's what God made me to do. I sell my creations because I want to share that love, to share his glory, and to make people happy! It's simple, really.

 

I'm interested in why you shop (or don't shop) handmade. What part of the experience is most important to you? Have you had any extra special (or extra awful) experiences? What could the seller have done differently? I'm really just trying to pick your brains here people! Help a housewife out!

P.S. I know I haven't been posting as much as of late, and I really do have a good excuse for that, but I can't tell anyone yet because it's a big surprise. I've had time to do some thinking, not just about my brand and where I'm trying to take this thing, but also about my life and where I'm trying to take that thing. What does the future look like for the hipster housewife, husband, and three adorable hipster babies? What's next? God is doing big things in our household. He's opening our eyes to things we've remained adamantly blind to, binding up old wounds, and setting our feet on a new path. We are so excited to see where it will lead.

"He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed."

 

Currently Obsessing

We'll call this one 'Currently Obsessing' in which I will share said current obsessions with you fine folks. Because I'm cool and I like cool stuff and you can be vicariously cool by liking the same cool stuff as me. Get it? Good.

I even made a pretty list!

I'm not trying to say I'm like some kind of fabulous trendsetter or anything (kidding! That's totally what I'm saying) but calling oneself a hipster in even the most tounge in cheek of ways indicates a certain confidence in ones coolness. Or maybe I'm just an asshole. I have not quite been able to acsertain that just yet. When I do I'll let you know, but in the meantime, I need to tell someone about all this interesting crap floating about my brain these days.

First up, currently listening to : Angel Olsen. I'm going to continue in bold because she is just that frickin amazing. I'm serious youtube that shit like right now. Here, I'll make it super easy for you.

I do have to admit one thing though. My husband found her first. Which makes him a little cooler than me, but that's okay. We're good for eachother like that.

The album is called Burn Your Fire For No Witness and Pitchfork gave it a crazy good review that says it way better than I can so click that link people! The song Enemy in particular just tears me apart in that perfectly painful way, that pain that is so beautiful because it's so fucking real. It's like (one of) the girls inside my head broke out and put music to all her unwritten poetry. I'm sorry if that makes no sense to you. Please, just listen.

The next two things on my list are colors. Because I'm random like that, bear with me. I plan on dressing pretty much exclusively in shades of white this spring. Well, white plus denim. While my hunt for the elusive perfect white tee shirt has thus far been unfruitful, I will continue my search and wear every iteration of said white shirt until I find it. I will find it, if only because that's all I'm going to wear and purchase. I'm nothing if not stubborn. Now, I'm sure some color will get thrown in there (it's going to be a big season for pastels, but I'm sure you already knew that) but I saw this one picture on Pintrest and I decided that white was it for me this spring.

Gold. I bought this amazing gold foil pen and I'm putting that shit on everything. Plus, this gold wishbone necklace the husband bought me that magically goes with everything I own. I've worn it every day since he bought it, and the only other piece of jewlery I wear every day are my wedding rings. I have quite a few baubles (what can I say I like shiny things) so that's saying quite a bit. What can you take from this? Invest in a delicate piece of 'personal' jewlery. Then you can wear it all the time and call it your signature piece. Who doesn't want a signature piece?!? That just sounds fancy.

The bullets cool too, but it's got nothing on that wishbone xx

I'm still reading The Journey of Desire . And I'm still obsessed with it. But I'm not going to review it
until I'm done (which might be a while, because I am savoring this read. Plus it requires much bible checking and investigating). All I'm going to say is, get thee to Barnes and Noble. We can be obsessed together.

Items 5 and 6 on the list can kind of all be thrown into one category, and we'll call that category creating. Or maybe art. Anyway, I can't stop buying pictures of girls with antlers. Deer girls. I have no idea what's behind this new fascination, but I've always had a thing for the wild and fae. I even have a Pintrest board, girls with antlers .

Art by Prettylittlethieves

Art by GirlandParrot

I have so many new favorites on etsy. It's crazy how many amazing artisans and crafters make their 'home' on etsy. The platform it's given my work has been insane and I've found so many like minded creatives there. Which is pretty much the definition of cool. In case you were wondering.

And that said, I've managed to work my way around to what's kind of been bothering me about my work lately. I haven't made art for the love of making art in... a while. And I feel like the stuff I'm selling in my shop, while it's definitely representative of me as a creative, I'm not sure that it's representative of me as an artist. I'm not even sure who I am as an artist actually. I can certainly make things. It's almost too easy. But I feel like I've been lacking vision. Maybe that's why I'm making lists and searching for inspiration.

I think I just need to get lost somewhere.

Joshua 1:9, acrylic on canvas... DONE!

Joshua 1:9 (and a girl who needs a shower)

Please do pardon my no makeuped pajama wearing self here, but I'm proud of this one damnit, and I want my face in there! Joshua 1:9, acrylic on canvas is finally done!! For those of you who might be like, what the eff is this b*%#^ talking about, I started a project a couple months ago for a good friend of mine (who has become an even better friend through this collab which is like awesome) and it's finally finished. I put my heart, soul, sweat, tears, and a few mistakes *wink, wink* (those winks were for Sarah, owner of said canvas, in case you were wondering - inside joke), into the design and execution of this painting and I simply could not be happier with the way it came out.

When Sarah first approached me about creating a custom piece for her sons' room, she had a pretty loose/vague idea about what she was after, other than she wanted it to be large and feature a somewhat 'cobbled together' verse from Joshua. She wanted something not too young, something that could grow with her sons as the go from the adorable curly haired wee ones they are now into young men. Masculine, but playful.

Aside from the colors, neutrals with a woodsy feel, that was pretty much all the direction I got. I've never done a piece this large, but I really let the verse itself lead my design process, and then my paintbrush. When painting or working with scripture in any way, the words are so rich, they have so much to say. I feel as though it's just my job to let them talk and try to capture it to the best of my ability! What struck me the most as I read (and reread, and prayed over) this verse was the idea of a journey, stepping out in faith and letting The Lord lead me into the wilderness, all the while knowing he is right there by my side. Whom shall I fear, right?! These thoughts inspired the 'journey into the mountains' theme.

The more I read the verse, the more it resonated with me. These things I worry and freak out over, do I have such little faith? The Lord is with me wherever I go. He is saying to us, my child, be not afraid, I am with you. He does not want us to live lives of fear, insecurity, and obscurity, he wants us to be strong and courageous, to step out in HIS name and do great things. Whether they are huge missions or small acts of kindness and mercy.

I love the way the canvas came out, and I am so pleased it's new owner loves it too. But the most important thing to me is that it will hang on the wall of two of God's most precious (and adorable) sons, and that his word will be there to tell them that wherever they go, whatever they do, they needn't fear. God is right there by their sides.

A recap, a winner, and an awesome husband

Hello friends, it's been too long! Love Buzz at Mill no. 5 is over and I can finally come up for a bit of air. I love what I do, but two jobs, three kids, and preparing for an art show is a lot of work! I feel like I haven't had a moment for anything (including cooking or cleaning - I have an awesome husband), and this blog stuff takes some time, hence my radio silence.

I want to start by thanking you all for participating in our scripture canvas giveaway. So many kind comments, encouraging words, likes, shares, all of it. You guys are the best. That definitely deserves the bold type. I announced the winner on Facebook this morning, Erin Vincent-Leger! I know her husband through work (the day job) and I couldn't be happier that she won the Joshua 24:15, 'As for me and my house, we will serve The Lord'. It's an inspiring and convicting verse, one that hangs on my wall, and I'm pumped that it will be hanging on theirs as well.

Me and hubs on our way to Love Buzz

So, anyway, Love Buzz!! We drove up around 8am (even though we didn't have to be there until ten, my husband is one of those crazy punctual people, whereas I am decidedly not) and I pretty much thought I was going to puke the entire time, I was so nervous. Luckily, not only is my husband punctual, he is also my rock, and he has a way of keeping me calm despite myself. When I say I couldn't have done this without him, I mean I couldn't have done it without him.

We got everything hauled up to the fourth floor (there was an elevator, but it's still no joke with that door setup - again, props to the husband) with the help of the awesome Love Buzz staff. The mill itself is crazy gorgeous and cool inside. My father and I were in awe of the old giant beams and columns (you appreciate that kind of stuff more as a carpenter!).

My handsome daddy (in case you couldn't tell, I'm a bit of a daddy's girl)

We got the booth set up, all of my family came out to support us, I sold tons of my valentines day cards, and I met some wicked cool people. I think that was the best part of the day, getting to meet so many talented artists and crafters. The girl across the hall from me was so nice and supportive (and crazy talented, check out her shop Firelight Pottery, gorgeous jewlery) and she is a Christian too. What a funny coincidence (I love when God does that stuff).

Everyone loved our display, and I was quite happy with how it came out. So many people helped to bring it all together, loaning me antlers, paint, chalkboards. I have the best friends and family. Seriously, I love you guys.

It was an awesome first show experience, and I feel so blessed to have been a part of such a cool community of talented artisans. Drew and I prayed on the way up that we would be a good representative of Christ while we were there, and I think we did that. Because that's really the whole point of this right? Making those connections with people, shining that light. I firmly feel as though you never know who you might reach, who might read something even in passing, and have it spark something in them, be an encouragement to them.

But, if I'm going to be really real here, I'm relieved it's over! It was a lot of work, stress, and craziness. I've said it like three times already, but my husband has been an angel through it all. I have been rather difficult (who, me?) at times, and he kept on smiling and supporting me through it all. I love him so much. So. Frickin. Much.

And I love you guys (I think I said that a few times already too, but it bears repeating). A million
thank yous to each and every one of you.



P.S. I just started reading this book, The Journey of Desire , and it is amazing. Ah-maze-ing. I can't wait to talk about it with you guys!!